What to do With Old Towels: 10 Ideas • Heather Handmade

Learn ideas for what to do with old towels. Some of these projects are upcycles for old towels and some would require a nice looking towel.

I’m pretty good at replacing towels when they get old and not having too many towels at once, but that means that every once in awhile I need to get rid of towels. It might be that they look worn out, or it might be that they look nice but I have too many.

Here are some great ideas for what to do with old towels. Some of these ideas work great with large towels, and some of these ideas work better for small towels. Some of these ideas are for newer towels, and some of these ideas are for old towels.

Do you love to sew? Try some of these projects:

What is upcycling?

Upcycling is to reuse material to create something better than the original. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing adult clothing into clothing for children or I’m sewing clothing into an accessory or house item.

Upcycling saves time, saves money, saves the environment, and saves memories.

Save time by reusing details from the original shirt. Save money by using something you already have.

Save the environment by keeping t-shirts out of the landfill. Save memories by reusing a favorite adult t-shirt for your toddler or child.

What to do With Old Towels

Easy DIY Towel Poncho for Kids

Learn how to make a DIY towel poncho out of a beach towel and hand towel. This easy sewing project is great for kids at the beach or pool!

DIY Convertible Towel Bag

Stop dropping your towel when you have so much to carry and make a DIY convertible towel bag instead! The towel converts to a backpack and then back to a towel!

Free Hanging Kitchen Towel Sewing Pattern

Make a beginner sewing project with this free hanging kitchen towel sewing pattern. Use a towel or quilting cotton for an easy gift to sew!

How to Make DIY Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

Learn how to make DIY reusable makeup remover pads to help you save money and create less waste. It’s a great scrap fabric sewing project! I use soft cotton and flannel for the outside, but I like cutting up towels for the inside to make them extra absorbent.

DIY Travel Toothbrush Roll Bag

Learn how to make a DIY toothbrush roll bag for traveling with a hand towel and a ribbon. Organize your hygiene items with this simple sewing project!

How to Sew a Washcloth

Learn how to sew a washcloth by cutting up a hand towel. This beginner sewing project is great for saving money and the environment.

DIY Tea Towel Apron Tutorial

This is a fabulous and easy gift idea for neighbors, teachers, friends, and family. Use a tea towel to make a quick and simple DIY tea towel apron!

How to Make Hanging Kitchen Towels

Learn how to make hanging kitchen towels. This beginner sewing project is perfect if you have kids or pets, and it makes a great gift!

DIY Reusable Water Balloons

Learn how to make DIY reusable water balloons using sponges and scraps of fleece fabric or old towels. It’s a quick summer sewing project that is fun to play with!

Free Popsicle Holder Sewing Pattern

Learn how to make a popsicle holder with a free sewing pattern. There’s a mermaid tail, shark, sword hilt, and a simple rectangle. I made these out of polar fleece and sweatshirt fleece, but they would work just as well made from old towels!

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!